SpaceX delivers ‘mighty mice,’ worms, robot to space station

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A X cargo ship arrived at International Station on Sunday, delivering super muscular “mighty mice,” worms and a smart, empatic robot.

station commander, Italy’s Luca Parmita, used a large robot arm to grab onto Dragon three days after its launch from Cape Canaveral. two craft soared 260 miles (420 kilometers) above South Pacific at time of capture.

“Whenever we welcome a new vehicle on board, we take on board also a little bit of soul of everybody that contributed to project, so welcome on board,” Parmita told Mission Control.

capsule holds 3 tons (2,720 kilograms) of supplies, including 40 mice for a muscle and bone experiment. Eight of m are genetically engineered with twice rmal muscle mass — and so are considered “mighty mice.”′ re also are 120,000 roundworms, or nematodes of a beneficial variety that are part of an agricultural study.

capsule also has a large, round robot he with artificial intelligence and ability to sense astronauts’ emotions. Named Cimon, it’s an improved version of what flew up last year to be tested as an astronaut’s helper.

NASA has tucked some Christmas presents in shipment for station’s six-person crew, as well.

It’s X’s 19th delivery to station for NASA over past seven years.

astronauts have ar delivery coming Monday — this one launched by Russia from Kazakhstan on Friday.

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Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. AP is solely responsible for all content.